How to Tie in an Old Floor With the New

Tying two floors together is common during remodel projects.

One of the most difficult aspects of remodeling a home is figuring out how to tie an existing floor into a new one, such as with a hardwood floor that is already in place and adding a ceramic tile installation next to it, or vice versa. The difference in material thicknesses, not to mention the design elements and the overall look and feel of the products, are all important in harmonizing more than one type of flooring material.

Height Differences

The most prevalent issue when tying in more than one type of flooring is the overall height, since not all materials have the same thickness. For example, the average piece of tile is generally thinner than that of wood, but when you factor in the underlayment that is required for ceramic tile installations, you can often have tile that will end up higher than the wood. Figuring out how to make the two materials flush out is a key factor.

Thresholds and Transition Strips

The easiest way to solve a transitional gap between two floors when there is a height issue is a transition strip or a threshold, such as in a doorway. This allows you to quickly, easily and cleanly separate the two different areas. For the average do-it-yourselfer, this is the easiest method because it doesn’t require a lot of planning or forethought, since you can simply install the new floor and then put the rounded strip or threshold in between the two areas.

Aesthetics

Height is not the only issue when tying in an older floor with something new. Suppose, for example, that you have a polished wood surface in one area, and you want to put a tile installation or a natural stone installation up against it. You have to consider color schemes to tie the regions together but also the type of material you are using. While ceramic tile is flat and smooth and can match the smoothness of hardwood, rough slate has tips and valleys and is a completely different aesthetic when compared to polished hardwood. Whether they work together depends on the personal preferences of the homeowner.

Customization

If you are working with a professional or you are someone who has above-average skill with tools and a working knowledge of construction, you can customize the transition from old to new. For example, you can use concrete to gradually ramp up from a carpet installation to a tile transition -- or from wood to tile or from tile to wood. You can also sand down wood strips to create a gradual ramp, or polish down a marble ramp or threshold. These are advanced methods that require a working knowledge of the tools and methods used by the pros.

About the Author

Tim Anderson has been freelance writing since 2007. His has been published online through GTV Magazine, Home Anatomy, TravBuddy, MMO Hub, Killer Guides and the Delegate2 group. He spent more than 15 years as a third-generation tile and stone contractor before transitioning into freelance writing.